Workout alignment grid system

ABSTRACT

A workout alignment grid system including an alignment device such as a towel, mat or cloth with a body having a top surface with at least one marking forming a grid to assist a user in aligning and properly positioning at least one body part of the user, and a bottom surface. The at least one marking includes a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines. The at least one marking forms the grid to provide a visual indicator for relative placement of the at least one body part of the user when practicing yoga, posing, or performing other exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of towels and more specifically relates to exercise towels.

2. Description of Related Art

Many individuals stretch and exercise in activities such as Yoga. Yoga is typically associated with a collection of postures or positions. These postures can vary from very simple postures to complex postures. Yoga postures include, but are not limited to, for example, standing poses, seated poses, twisted poses, supine poses, inverted poses, balance poses, and Bikram Yoga poses. With each posture, a user's body parts (e.g., arms, hands, legs, feet, hips and/or torso) must be correctly aligned or placed to achieve the correct pose and the benefit of that pose. Often, it is difficult to properly align body parts and improper alignment may cause injury and or result in not receiving the outmost benefit from the position due to improper alignment. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pub. No. 2014/0007345 to Ali Hasta relates to posture-assisted yoga mats and towel. The described posture-assisted yoga mats and towel includes apparatuses and methods for assisting users to align and place limbs to perform various yoga positions. Apparatuses and method disclosed herein comprise a towel or mat having markings (e.g., lines, dots, circles, or any other indication) to help a user align and place the user's limbs. Some of the markings can be used to measure distances as some of the markings are a predetermine distance apart.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known exercise art, the present disclosure provides a novel workout alignment grid system or mat grid system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device such as a mat, towel, cloth or the like including a grid for assisting a user in aligning body parts properly during yoga, Pilates, and the like, and also to provide a focal point to help the user maintain balance holding a posture and centering the weight.

A workout alignment grid system is disclosed herein. The workout alignment grid system has an alignment device which preferably includes a non-slip microfiber towel with a body having a top surface with at least one marking forming a grid to assist a user in aligning and properly positioning at least one body part, and a bottom surface. The top surface and the bottom surface oppose each other and together integrally form the body of the towel. The towel is substantially rectangular and may be approximately 24 inches wide and 68 inches long. The at least one marking includes a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines positioned at various points on the top surface of the towel. The at least one marking forming the (functional) grid provides a visual indicator for relative placement of the at least one body part of the user while practicing yoga poses or other exercises.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a workout alignment grid system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the workout alignment grid system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the workout alignment grid system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to towels and more particularly to a workout alignment grid system as used to improve the alignment of limbs during various poses and exercises to prevent strain and injury when practicing yoga or performing Pilates, and also in achieving the outmost benefit.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-2, various views of a workout alignment grid system 100. FIG. 1 shows a workout alignment grid system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the workout alignment grid system 100 may include an alignment device which may include a washable towel 110, mat, cloth, or the like with a body 112 having a top surface 114 with at least one marking 116 forming a (functional) grid to assist a user in aligning and properly positioning at least one body part of the user, and a bottom surface 118. The top surface 114 and the bottom surface 118 oppose each other and together integrally form the body 112 of the towel 110. The at least one marking 116 includes a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines. In a preferred embodiment, the towel 110 comprises a non-slip microfiber material. The grid may be silk screen printed on to the top surface 114 of the towel 110. The at least one (functional) marking 116 forming the grid provides a visual indicator for relative placement of the at least one body part of the user while performing poses and other exercises.

FIG. 2 shows a top view and measurements of the workout alignment grid system 100 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the workout alignment grid system 100 may include the towel 110 mat, cloth or the like having a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines forming a grid (functional in use) to assist a user in aligning one's body and properly positioning at least one body part of the user. The towel 110 is substantially rectangular and may be approximately 24 inches wide and 68 inches long. The towel 110 comprises an upper section, an absolute center section, and a lower section. The series of vertical lines and the series of horizontal lines are positioned at various points on the top surface of the towel 110. The series of vertical lines may be used for keeping a user's body centered in relation to the towel 110 and also for placement of heels or fingers to keep hips aligned. The series of vertical lines and the series of horizontal lines may be used to accurately perform various yoga poses. The lines are designed to be functional rather than merely aesthetic.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vertical lines comprise a first vertical line 120, a second vertical line 122, a third vertical line 124, and a series of vertical center lines 126. The first vertical line 120, a second vertical line 122, a third vertical line 124 extend an entire length of the towel 110. The horizontal lines include a first center horizontal line 140, a second center horizontal line 142, a series of upper horizontal lines 144, and a series of lower horizontal lines 146. More or less lines and other grids may be used.

More specifically, the second vertical line 122 is positioned such that it defines a center of the towel 110 vertically. The first vertical line 120 is positioned approximately 5 inches from the second vertical line 122 towards a left-outer edge 160 of the towel 110 and the third vertical line 124 is positioned approximately 5 inches from the second vertical line 122 towards to a right-outer edge 162 of the towel 110. The second vertical line 122 functions as a focal point for specific postures and exercises to help keep a user balanced. The first vertical line 120 and the third vertical line 124 assist in body alignment for planks. The series of vertical center lines 126 extend vertically between the first center horizontal line 140 and the second center horizontal line 142. The series of vertical center lines 126 include a first vertical center line 128, a second vertical center line 129, a third vertical center line 130, and a fourth vertical center line 131. The first vertical center line 128 and second vertical center line 129 are positioned between the first vertical line 120 and the second vertical line 122, extending between the first center horizontal line 140 and the second center horizontal line 142. The third vertical center line 130 and the fourth vertical center line 131 are positioned between the second vertical line 122 and the third vertical line 124, extending between the first center horizontal line 140 and the second center horizontal line 142. The second vertical center line 129 and the third vertical center line 130 are approximately 2.75 inches from the second vertical line 122, and the first vertical center line 128 and the fourth vertical center line 131 are approximately 3.75 inches from the second vertical line 122.

The series of upper horizontal lines 144 comprises four horizontal markings including a first upper horizontal line 151, a second upper horizontal line 152, a third upper horizontal line 153, and a fourth upper horizontal line 154. The first upper horizontal line 151 is positioned approximately 12 inches below a top edge 158 of the towel 110. The second upper horizontal line 152 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the first upper horizontal line 151. The third upper horizontal line 153 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the second upper horizontal line 152, and the fourth upper horizontal line 154 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the third upper horizontal line 153.

The series of lower horizontal lines 146 comprises four horizontal markings including a first lower horizontal line 170, a second lower horizontal line 171, a third lower horizontal line 172, and a fourth lower horizontal line 173. The fourth lower horizontal line 173 is positioned approximately 2 inches up from a bottom edge 157 of the towel 110. The third lower horizontal line 172 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the fourth lower horizontal line 173. The second lower horizontal line 171 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the third lower horizontal line 172, and the first lower horizontal line 170 is positioned approximately 2 inches from the second lower horizontal line 171.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other vertical and horizontal line arrangements may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A workout alignment grid system comprising: an alignment device with a body having; a top surface with at least one marking forming a grid to assist a user in aligning and properly positioning at least one body part of said user; and a bottom surface; wherein said top surface and said bottom surface oppose each other and together form said body; wherein said at least one marking includes a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines; and wherein said at least one marking forming said grid, being functional, provides a visual indicator for relative placement of said at least one body part and provides a focal point to help maintain balance while holding a posture.
 2. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said alignment device comprises a non-slip microfiber material.
 3. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said alignment device is one of a towel, a mat, or a cloth.
 4. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said towel is substantially rectangular.
 5. The workout alignment grid system of claim 4, wherein said towel is approximately 24 inches wide and 68 inches long.
 6. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said series of vertical lines and said series of horizontal lines are positioned at various points on said top surface of said towel.
 7. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said towel comprises an upper section, an absolute center section, and a lower section.
 8. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said vertical lines comprise a first vertical line, a second vertical line, a third vertical line, and a series of vertical center lines.
 9. The workout alignment grid system of claim 8, wherein said horizontal lines include a first center horizontal line, a second center horizontal line, a series of upper horizontal lines, and a series of lower horizontal lines.
 10. The workout alignment grid system of claim 8, wherein said second vertical line is positioned such that it defines a center of the towel vertically.
 11. The workout alignment grid system of claim 10, wherein said first vertical line is positioned approximately 5 inches from said second vertical line towards a left-outer edge of said towel and said third vertical line is positioned approximately 5 inches from said second vertical line towards a right-outer edge of said towel.
 12. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said series of vertical center lines extend vertically between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line.
 13. The workout alignment grid system of claim 12, wherein said series of vertical center lines includes a first vertical center line, second vertical center line, third vertical center line, and fourth vertical center line.
 14. The workout alignment grid system of claim 13, wherein said first vertical center line and second vertical center line are positioned between said first vertical line and said second vertical line, extending between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line, said third vertical center line and said fourth vertical center line are positioned between said second vertical line and said third vertical line, extending between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line.
 15. The workout alignment grid system of claim 14, wherein said second vertical center line and said third vertical center line are approximately 2.75 inches from said second vertical line and said first vertical center line and said fourth vertical center line are approximately 3.75 inches from said second vertical line.
 16. The workout alignment grid system of claim 9, wherein said series of upper horizontal lines comprises four horizontal markings including a first upper horizontal line, second upper horizontal line, third upper horizontal line, fourth upper horizontal line.
 17. The workout alignment grid system of claim 1, wherein said first upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 12 inches below a top edge of said towel, said second upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said first upper horizontal line, third upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said second upper horizontal line, and fourth upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said third upper horizontal line.
 18. The workout alignment grid system of claim 9, wherein said series of lower horizontal lines comprises four horizontal markings including a first lower horizontal line, second lower horizontal line, third lower horizontal line, fourth lower horizontal line.
 19. The workout alignment grid system of claim 18, wherein said fourth lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches up from a bottom edge of said towel, said third lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said fourth lower horizontal line, said second lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said third lower horizontal line, and said first lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said second lower horizontal line.
 20. A workout alignment grid system comprising: an alignment device with a body having; a top surface with at least one marking forming a grid to assist a user in aligning and properly positioning at least one body part of said user; and a bottom surface; wherein said alignment device is one of a towel, a mat, or a cloth; wherein said top surface and said bottom surface oppose each other and together integrally form said body of said alignment device; wherein said at least one marking includes a series of vertical lines and a series of horizontal lines; wherein said at least one marking forming said grid provides a visual indicator for relative placement of said at least one body part; wherein said alignment device comprises a non-slip microfiber material; wherein said alignment device is substantially rectangular; wherein said alignment device is approximately 24 inches wide and 68 inches long; wherein said series of vertical lines and said series of horizontal lines are positioned at various points on said top surface of said alignment device; wherein said alignment device comprises an upper section, an absolute center section, and a lower section; wherein said vertical lines comprise a first vertical line, a second vertical line, a third vertical line, and a series of vertical center lines; wherein said horizontal lines include a first center horizontal line, a second center horizontal line, a series of upper horizontal lines, and a series of lower horizontal lines; wherein said second vertical line is positioned such that it defines a center of the alignment device vertically; wherein said first vertical line is positioned approximately 5 inches from said second vertical line towards a left-outer edge of said alignment device and said third vertical line is positioned approximately 5 inches from said second vertical line towards to a right-outer edge of said alignment device; wherein said series of vertical center lines extend vertically between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line; wherein said series of vertical center lines includes a first vertical center line, second vertical center line, third vertical center line, and fourth vertical center line; wherein said first vertical center line and second vertical center line are positioned between said first vertical line and said second vertical line, extending between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line, said third vertical center line and said fourth vertical center line are positioned between said second vertical line and said third vertical line, extending between said first center horizontal line and said second center horizontal line; wherein said second vertical center line and said third vertical center line are approximately 2.75 inches from said second vertical line, and said first vertical center line and said fourth vertical center line are approximately 3.75 inches from said second vertical line; wherein said series of upper horizontal lines comprises four horizontal markings including a first upper horizontal line, second upper horizontal line, third upper horizontal line, fourth upper horizontal line; wherein said first upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 12 inches below a top edge of said alignment device, said second upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said first upper horizontal line, third upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said second upper horizontal line, and fourth upper horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said third upper horizontal line; wherein said series of lower horizontal lines comprises four horizontal markings including a first lower horizontal line, second lower horizontal line, third lower horizontal line, fourth lower horizontal line; and wherein said fourth lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches up from a bottom edge of said alignment device, said third lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said fourth lower horizontal line, said second lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said third lower horizontal line, and said first lower horizontal line is positioned approximately 2 inches from said second lower horizontal line. 